Mom and daughter each finish a large bowl of colorful sweetened cereal.

Mom:  We really need to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Daughter:  Yeah, you're right!!

Mom:  I see Dad just pulled up in the driveway. Have him pick up some bananas and apples from the store ...so I can make a couple pies.

Daughter (greeting dad with a hug):  Hi, Dad ...how was your night?

Dad:  Well, okay ...but, it's still kinda hard getting used to midnight shift.

Daughter:  Mom wants you to pick up some bananas and apples from the store.  We both have been eating too much of these sweetened cereals.

Dad:  Oh, I don't know about that ...I think I like it having the sweetest girls around.  By the way, where is your mom?

Daughter:  She jumped in the shower ...she said it's her turn to work at the Senior Center.

Dad:  Are the pies going to be for the seniors ...or for us??

Daughter:  Oh, the pies are for us ...most of the seniors can't have pies.

Dad (laughing to himself as he drives to the store):  I wonder how much sugar will be in those pies my already sweetened sweeties want to make.

The store is less than a mile away, but Dad is gone almost an hour. 

Daughter:  Dad, what took you so long?

Dad:  I couldn't decide what fruit to get.

Daughter: You got apples and bananas, right?

Dad:  Yeah ...but, I didn't know what kind to get.

Daughter:  I'm just guessing, but I think the yellow bananas ...yet, I guess the slightly green ones might do too.

Dad (laughs):  Oh, good ...I'm glad I didn't get the black ones.  I thought they'd be kinda squishy and hard to peel.

Daughter:  Thanks, Dad ...you did good on that one.  Now, how about the apples ...those were probably the ones that got you, right?

Dad:  No, that was easy ...I got a bag of each.  Your mom can take the ones she doesn't want to the Senior Center.  By the way, where is your mom?

Daughter:  She's still in the bathroom ...I heard the hair drier, and then a groan.  I think she's having a bad hair day.

The phone rings.

Dad (answers the phone ...then calls into the bathroom):  Hi, dear ...it's your loving husband.  Yes, I'm home ...and already taking messages for you. It's your mother on the phone.

(From inside the bathroom):  Can you take a better message?  See what she wants.

(From outside the bathroom):  She said her bathroom is flooding.

(From inside the bathroom):  What does she want me to do about it?  Can you go over, and see if you can be of any help?

That answered his question. What his mother-in-law wanted his wife to do about it ...was to tell him to do something about it.

He is at his mother-in-law's all morning and half of the afternoon.  He returns home ...tired & famished.  The house is silent ...and all he sees is one banana and one apple on the table. But, he smells the wonderful aroma of pies cooking.

The bathroom is still occupied, but quickly his daughter exits the bathroom and grabs the apple from the table.

Daughter:  Oh, Dad ...you look terrible!  The shower is open now.  I will see you later tonight.  I have a date with my boyfriend ....we're going to the movies.  Mom will be home in just a minute or so ...she went to pick up Joe from school.

He gets in the shower.  In a few minutes, he is done ...and eager to see his wife and greet their son.

As he exits the bathroom, he hears his wife talking on the phone.  From the conversation, he can hear that it's his mother-in-law ...and that conversation, from past experience, can go on for nearly an hour. 

His son is there though ...sitting at the table, silently staring.

Dad:  Hi, Joe ...how was school?

Son:  Oh, hi ...Dad, sorry I didn't see you walking up.  School was okay, how was work?  

Dad:  Oh, work is ...work.  I'm glad I'm home ...I always miss you all.

Son:  I'm glad you're home ...I miss you too.

Dad:  So, what did you learn today at school.

Son:  It's more like what did I unlearn.

Dad:  Is that why you were staring at that banana on the table? You thought that school was rather fruitless?

Son:  You're funny, Dad ...but, seriously, can I ask you some questions?

Dad:  You know you can talk to me anytime ...about anything?

Son:  Okay ...would you say we are increasing in knowledge?

Dad:  Do you mean, do I believe that people today are smarter than they used to be?

Son:  I mean, on an intellectual scale ...would you say you and I are below average intellectually?

Dad:  I would say I am quite substantially below average.  Now, you, on the other hand, that all depends on what you learned today.  If you learned what they taught you today, and they taught you all they know ...you may be right up there with them.

Son:  They say that evolution has been proven ...and that it is no longer a theory, but a fact.  That's why I was staring at that banana.  It was once alive ...and it has small seeds in it, so even though it doesn't appear to be alive, if you plant it, it could grow.  So, we can confidently say it is alive then.

Dad:  Okay, I can follow you so far.

Son:  But, just staring at the banana ...unless somebody, or something does something with it, I wonder how long it would take to evolve into something else?  I can only imagine that it would rot and turn black.  

Dad:  You mean, you can't imagine that the banana could evolve into a monkey.  Or how about a monkey turning into a banana? I can imagine a banana going into a monkey.

Son:  You're telling jokes again, Dad.  Sure, if a monkey saw the banana through our window, busted the window, and ate the banana ...it would be a banana going into a monkey.

Dad smiles.

Son: It's a good thing Mom is on the phone ...she wouldn't think your jokes are funny.  She believes the Bible is true ...and she would be very serious about this.  But, seriously, the Bible can't be true ...because it's been proven that evolution is a fact.

Dad (continues to smile):  If your sister hadn't taken the apple ...maybe we wouldn't be here just staring at the banana.  A woman taking an apple may have created this whole dilemma in the first place.

Son:  You're joking again, Dad.  But, who said it was an apple ...the Bible doesn't say it was an apple.

Dad:  The Bible doesn't say there was evolution.

Son:  But, they've proven that evolution is true.

Dad:  They haven't proven it to me.  Did your teacher teach you everything there is to know about evolution?

Son:  No, that would take too long.

Dad: How about inviting your teacher over tomorrow evening, and your teacher can tell me a few things to help me understand.  We should have some left over pie ...tell your teacher we will have some pie too. And if I can be convinced of evolution, I'll also have some humble pie.

The teacher accepts the invitation for dinner the following evening.

Dad:  I have to admit that I was rather surprised when I heard that you accepted our invitation.

Teacher:  I like to get to know my students.  I really care about each and every one of them.  I think that is very important to learning.  Yet, I also realize that most students don't really open up that much, so I like to meet them in their own environment ...and meet their parents.  I feel that is the way to really get to know them best.

Mom:  I didn't realize that teachers even had parent-teacher conferences anymore.  I commend you ...I think this is even a step beyond that.  I'm very happy that you've graciously taken this interest in your students ...and of course, our son.

Teacher:  Your son tells me that you don't believe in evolution.

Mom:  I believe in God.

Teacher:  So, do I ...and I don't see how that creates any problem.  Evolution is true ...whether you believe in God, or not, it does not change the fact of evolution.

Mom:  Oh, I see ...that's nice that you believe in God.  I guess, I just assumed that you didn't.

Teacher:  Why would you assume that?

Mom:  I don't know, I guess, I've always listened to my husband ...and he has always said that the Bible and evolution cannot both be true.  But, he's been wrong before ...whether he likes to admit it or not, and I guess he is wrong this time.

Teacher:  Yes, your son has said that his dad is the more challenging one in the family ...so, I guess I should address my questions likewise.

Dad:  And your question is??

Teacher:  Why do you think a person can't believe in God, and evolution?

Dad:  Oh, I think a person can ...I just don't think a person can believe in the Bible and also believe in evolution.

Teacher:  I believe in God ...just not the Bible.

Dad:  You said you care about your students, and want to get to know them.  Yet, when you visit the families, don't you also want the students and their parents  to get to know you?

Teacher:  Well, yes, if they know how much I care ...then it will enhance their motivation and learning tremendously.

Dad:  So, you want them to know you and how much you care, but you don't think God wants the same?

Teacher:  What do you mean ...of course, I think God would want students and their teacher to have a good relationship.

Dad:  No, I mean, don't you think that God also wants for us to get to know Him?  The Bible is God's way for us to do that. Don't you think God has a good reason for wanting this relationship with us?

Teacher:  Yes, that would seem to make good sense ...but, I don't know why God does the things He does.

Dad:  The Bible is very clear why.  Let me ask this ...do you believe there is a life with God after we die?

Teacher:  You are talking about an afterlife.  Your son was correct when he said you are the more challenging one.  Why are you now bringing up the subject of an afterlife?

Dad:  Well, I just feel that if you don't believe in an afterlife ...then you might as well believe in evolution.  And you wouldn't have much reason to believe in Jesus either, so survival of the fittest and to the fullest would be a dominant motivator.  We would think more of saving ourselves and our earth ...so, what use would we have for pretending we need a Savior.  What would we need to be saved from?

Teacher:  It must be rather lonely ...reasoning like a philosopher of old, when there is really no place for that sort of thinking in this day and age.  

Dad:  Do you believe in angels?  And I don't mean the Los Angeles baseball team.

Teacher:  You certainly are relentless.  This may surprise you, but yes, I do believe in angels.

Dad:  How did they evolve?

Teacher:  I don't believe they did.  God either created them, or they always were.  I don't really know.  Yet, I suppose you are going to tell me that you do know, aren't you. But, why do people like you insist that they know something that they really don't know?

Dad:  I was going to ask you the very same thing.  And you may think I'm just being difficult, or priding myself in challenging you ...but, you are teaching my son evolution.  That is kind of bothersome, if you just dismiss the very important conversation about God.  As far as I'm concerned ...there's nothing more important.  And I don't think our son's teacher should neglect to teach him what is most important.

Teacher:  I don't need to teach him that ...I'm sure you have more than adequately taught him what you feel he should know about God, so I don't feel it is my responsibility to teach him that.

Dad:  You said you care about all the students ...and some parents don't teach their kids about God.  If you feel it's your responsibility to teach them about evolution ...then you should be adequate in your teaching, and responsible enough to bring up the same questions I am asking you.

Teacher:  Okay, to restore your faith in me as a teacher, I will answer your questions.  Just like I expect my students to answer my questions, I will pretend at this time that I am your student. The last thing you mentioned was angels.  I believe that angels always were ...just like God.

Dad:  And just like a teacher, I will not belittle you for your answer.  So, do you also believe that these angels were intelligent?

Teacher:  Yes, I believe they were ...and are, very intelligent.

Dad:  So, is it something like the movie Toy Story ...??

Teacher:  Okay, I did see the movie ...but, I really don't know where you are going with all this.

Dad:  You are right ...it is not really the same at all.  In Toy Story, the toys were created ...and they were alive.  But, they were for the children ...but, they ended up caring more than the children did.  But, that's not like us humans ...because we don't care more than God, and I really shouldn't be talking about creation.  I forgot, you believe that we all evolved.

Teacher:  You really lost me there ...you're really not making any sense.  In order for me to pretend that you are my teacher, you have to begin making a little more sense.

Dad:  Well, forget about either of us teaching each other anything ...let's just reason together.  We both believe there were angels ...and they were not insignificant humble creatures. So, how do you think they passed the time of day ...even though I believe there wasn't time of day yet?  Do you believe the angels and God amused themselves by watching evolution over billions of years?  That would be worse than if I sat on my back steps and watched the grass grow. And though I am not the most exciting person there is ...that mindless activity would rather bore me.

Teacher:  We don't really have facts to give us any idea about that.

Dad:  Well, that hasn't stopped the evolutionists from imagining.  You did say you believe in God, and if you agree with me on that ...then with the angels, we may also agree that they were highly sophisticated.  So, when one third of them rebelled, I'd say it's rather clear that God already had a counteraction in place ...already not only anticipating that, but knowing what was going to happen.  And I believe that God brought about swift judgment.

There is an awkward pause here ...

Teacher:  We kind of know each other better now ...and I believe that is good.  I could say that I kind of feel like a member of your family now ...but, I also sort of feel like you are getting ready to ground me.  

Dad:  Sorry, that was not my intent ...to make you think I am going to ground you.  I see my wife is bringing the pie ...and that should ground both of us for a time.

Teacher:  Okay, it is not my intent to make you feel awkward either ...but, how about we switch roles a bit, and I start asking you some of the hard questions?

Dad:  I agree with that  ...that seems fair.

Teacher:  Since you have admittedly made it quite clear that you don't believe in evolution, then you believe in God's Creation.  That would be a six-day Creation, right?

Dad:  You are doing fine ...proceed.

Teacher:  On the first day, we read of a mention of the introductory of light.  Are you telling me that with however long the existence of God and the angels before the Creation ...that there was no light?

Dad:  Of course there was light ...light was reintroduced at Creation.

Teacher:  You make it a bit difficult to follow you.  What are you actually saying?

Dad:  Just because I don't believe in evolution, doesn't mean that I don't believe there was something before the Creation. What we read about in the first Chapter of the Book of Genesis ....is what I believe came right after the rebellion, upon God restoring order.  The third sentence in the Bible mentions water, yet we look to the first day of Creation to only involve the introduction of light ...and of course, the lack of light, darkness.  This all can make sense if you believe the creation of the angels and their rebellion came before the Creation.  That is, the Creation we read about in the beginning of the Bible.

Teacher:  Are you saying there was more than one creation?

Dad:  The Bible is for us ...it does not give a detailed description of the creation of the angels, nor of their previous activity or the habitat they lived in.  I don't know how old the universe is ...I just believe that man and woman were created a little over six thousand years ago.  And I don't believe anything evolved ...everything was created in the exact moment that it was supposed to be created, and for the exact purpose that each was created.

Teacher:  Wow ...now, I believe that evolution is rather simple compared to what you believe.

Dad:  You are right!  Compared to what I believe, evolution is rather simple ...and simply wrong. Evolution is not always simple ...as there are some scientists who try to overwhelm us with knowledge.  But, it is not the amount of knowledge ...but, the source.  And none of us were there, but God was ...each moment that everything happened.  God has always been there. And He has provided us with more than adequate knowledge in the Bible ...sadly, we have just chosen to replace it with our own knowledge.

Teacher:  Since you have all the answers, I don't know what else can be said ...since you don't believe in what most of us teachers believe in.

Dad:  Jesus has been referred to as Teacher.

Teacher:  And you feel you are His representative?

Dad:  There is so much I don't know.  But, it's like this ...I don't know much about cars, but I trust some mechanics.  I know even less about electricity ...so, I fairly much have to trust all of them, and if the appliances work, then that aspect of my life can be operational again.  I don't trust all religions ...but, I trust God, and I believe precisely how He is described in the Bible. And that is the basis for calling myself a Christian.

Teacher:  Promise me something.

Dad: What is that?

Teacher:  Well, usually I don't get invited to the homes of the parents of my students.  I usually invite the families of my students to my home.  So, what I'm asking for you to promise ...is for us to next time talk about our families, and not about evolution or God.

Dad:  Okay, I can do that.  But, it is rather sad that you'd request that ...as I consider myself part of God's family.

Teacher:  Perhaps it would have been easier if you had played the role of a scientist ...and just had written this all down, and I could have read it at my leisure.  That way it may not have felt quite as confrontive.

Dad:  God has done that ...but, I kind of have the feeling that you have not made a sincere effort to read and understand the Bible.  The Bible is what I recommend for people to read.  But, if you think you could endure more of this sort of punishment, which you give me the impression that you think my conversations are ...then I do have a list of blogs.

Teacher:  I had to ask ... 


Well, maybe you didn't ...but, here is a small sample:

(http://thispartisnotfunyetseemsnecessary.blogspot.com/2017/03/blog-post_59.html) ...and there is also a book, that can be found under the title, The Evolution of Confusion (book).  Order on line, or request at [P.O. Box 300072, Drayton Plains, Michigan 48330].

P.S. ...it is not a coloring book.